Reeling from Japan Boycott, Travel Industry Turns to Custom Trips

Travel products have been changed to small quantity batch production, as customer demand has diversified but become more specific. (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Nov. 18 (Korea Bizwire) — Hit hard by a boycott against travel to Japan, the travel industry is looking for a breakthrough with the rising popularity of customized trips where clients can choose the specifics of their travel .

The number of users of “group-tailored travel service” by South Korea’s major travel agency Hana Tour Service Inc. has been growing this year, up 40 percent from the same period last year.

Launched in August 2017 for smaller groups of four or more people, the service allows customers to choose the travel period and region, airlines and hotels, as well as travel interests, accompanying leaders, and whether to include shopping or other options.

In other words, customers ask travel agencies put a number on a travel itinerary scheduled by themselves.

Hana Tour explained that the package tours, which are made from the supplier’s point of view, are “customized” according to the convenience of customers, who are the users.

Meanwhile, another tour agency Modetour Network Inc. also released its custom travel brand “Private Tour” this month, which allows customers to freely organize their schedule.

The brand offers customized trips for four or more travelers, all of which can choose the Mode Tour products that they want.

“It will become competitive not only in the travel industry but also in the entire industry to meet the needs of the few that are distinct in individuality,” said an industry analyst.

The source added that travel products have been changed to small quantity batch production, as customer demand has diversified but become more specific.

D. M. Park (dmpark@koreabizwire.com)